NY-23

Flashback: GOP Used To Badmouth Hoffman, Said He Had No Integrity

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2009, 5:42PM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Now that the national Republican Party has gotten behind Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election -- following the withdrawal of moderate GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava -- it's fun to remember that the Republicans didn't always feel so fondly about Hoffman.

As The Hill reported a month ago, NRCC spokesman Paul Lindsay said that Scozzafava was the right candidate, who was picked by the local party leaders and had an appeal to the district's voters.

As for Lindsay's view of Hoffman, who had also interviewed with party leaders for the nomination: "Fortunately, the local Republican county chairs had the foresight to see that Doug Hoffman lacked the integrity and qualities needed to be elected to anything -- let alone Congress."

NY-23

DCCC: NY-23 Race Means Moderates Aren't Welcome In GOP

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2009, 4:57PM

NY-23 Candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

The Democrats are quick to spin today's big news in NY-23 -- that moderate Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava has dropped out, and the party has now endorsed insurgent Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman -- as a sign of the GOP becoming more and more extreme.

DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer gives us this statement: "The Republican Party's extreme right wing ideologues sent a chilling message to the few remaining moderate Republican Members and candidates: moderates are not welcome in the Republican Party and differing opinions will not be tolerated."

Rudominer also says the GOP has bungled this race: "The NRCC mishandled the race from day 1. The NRCC spent nearly $1 million (which is a quarter of their current cash on hand) on a race where they didn't understand the district or how the NY State party line ballot worked, they actively criticized the Conservative Party candidate, and they couldn't lock in the endorsements of Republican Party leaders."

NY-23

Owens, Hoffman Seek Scozzafava's Moderate GOP Voters In New Statements

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2009, 12:31PM

NY-23 Candidates Doug Hoffman (Conservative) and Bill Owens (D)

The two remaining candidates in the NY-23 special election, Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Doug Hoffman, have now each reacted to moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava dropping out of the race.

Owens gave a conciliatory note, praising Scozzafava's public service and denouncing Hoffman as a right-wing extremist, a clear play for Scozzafava's voters:

"Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava has been an honorable public servant for years now and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and her commitment to her principles. While we disagree on certain issues, we share a dedication to serving the best interests of Upstate New York and the Obama administration's efforts to get our economy back on track. Those interests will always be my highest priority."

"I remain focused on my campaign. Over the next 4 days I will continue traveling the district to discuss my record of helping create jobs and my plans to continue that work in Congress."

"Voters have a clear choice on Tuesday: they can elect to go back to the George Bush economic agenda, or they can vote to move forward. Doug Hoffman and the Club for Growth's extremist agenda won't do a thing to get our economy moving again. While Doug Hoffman is solely committed to continuing tax cuts for the wealthy which will add $500 billion to the deficit, protecting tax breaks for companies who ship jobs overseas, and privatizing Social Security, I will fight to turn the page on that agenda. I will work to create jobs Upstate to get our economy back on track because that is the type of leadership we need right now in Congress."

Read more »

NY-23

NRCC Officially Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2009, 11:42AM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

A GOP source tells TPM that the National Republican Congressional Committee is going to get behind Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election, now that moderate Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava has dropped out.

Hoffman is in a close race with Democrat Bill Owens, and Scozzafava suspended her campaign today after polls showed her in third place. With the NRCC's backing, Hoffman will go from insurgent third-party candidate to being the de facto new Republican nominee (though Scozzafava will still be on the ballot as the GOP's candidate).

NRCC chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) will have a statement out shortly.

Late Update: The NRCC has released a joint statement -- co-signed by Sessions, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) -- backing Hoffman. It is available after the jump.

Read more »

NY-23

NY-23 GOPer Scozzafava Suspends Campaign

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2009, 11:13AM

In a huge development in the NY-23 special election, Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava has announced that she is suspending her campaign, citing an inability to win in light of recent polls and a lack of money -- leaving this race as a vote between Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, and a strong message that the Republican Party can no longer nominate moderate candidates, or else face a right-wing revolt.

Scozzafava told the Watertown Daily Times that the new Siena poll, which said she was in third place, meant that she would be unable to catch up with Owens and Hoffman.

Interestingly, Scozzafava did not expressly endorse Hoffman in her statement, but simply released her supporters to "transfer their support as they see fit to do so," and hoped for a stronger Republican Party:

It is increasingly clear that pressure is mounting on many of my supporters to shift their support. Consequently, I hereby release those individuals who have endorsed and supported my campaign to transfer their support as they see fit to do so. I am and have always been a proud Republican. It is my hope that with my actions today, my Party will emerge stronger and our District and our nation can take an important step towards restoring the enduring strength and economic prosperity that has defined us for generations.

The big question now, then, is how Scozzafava's voters will break down between Owens and Hoffman, and how many might still pick her as a protest vote (she will still be on the ballot). Her platform was socially liberal and economically conservative, and there was a lot of bad blood between the local GOP and Conservative campaigns. So let's see what happens next.

Scozzafava's full statement is available after the jump.

Read more »

NY-23

Poll: Dem And Conservative In Tight Race For NY-23, GOPer In Third

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2009, 10:00AM

NY-23 candidates Bill Owens (D), Dede Scozzafava (R), and Doug Hoffman (C)

The new Siena poll further confirms that the NY-23 special election has become a tight race between Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, with moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava in third place for this GOP-held seat.

The numbers: Owens 36%, Hoffman 35%, and Scozzafava 20%, with a ±3.7% margin of error. In the previous Siena poll from two weeks ago, Owens had led with 33%, Scozzafava was in second with 29%, and Hoffman trailed with 23%.

In addition, the new poll finds that only 29% of likely voters view Scozzafava favorably, with 51% viewing her unfavorably. By contrast, Owens is in positive territory at 40%-36%, and Hoffman at 41%-37%.

"Unfortunately for Assemblywoman Scozzafava, this has become a two person race between Owens and Hoffman," said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg, in the polling memo. "She now has the support of only one in five voters, having gone from 35 percent support to 20 percent support since the beginning of the month."

Read more »

CA-GOV

Gavin Newsom Drops Out Of California Gubernatorial Race

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 6:19PM

San Fransisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D)

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has dropped out of the California gubernatorial race, citing unspecified family obligations.

"With a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to - and should be - done," Newsom said in a statement.

Newsom had trailed the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, state Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown, in both poll numbers, organizational support and fundraising. With Newsom now out of the race, Brown's road to the Democratic nomination -- and perhaps even to to the governor's mansion after a 28-year absence -- is now that much clearer.

Late Update: The Los Angeles Times seems to put this development down to a lack of support for Newsom's candidacy:

Although Newsom had been effectively running for more than a year, his campaign never gained much traction. Even in his hometown, which Newsom touted as a model of cutting-edge policies, his candidacy was widely derided among civic insiders.

Perhaps most telling was the absence of support from the major San Francisco donors who helped underwrite Newsom's successful campaigns in the city. He also drew relatively few endorsements from the ranks of his fellow elected officials.

NY-23

Biden To Campaign For Bill Owens; Hoffman Gets John Rich

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 4:22PM

NY-23 candidates Bill Owens (D) and VP Joe Biden

Vice President Biden will be headed to upstate New York this Monday, to campaign for Democratic candidate Bill Owens in the NY-23 special election.

Biden's visit is coming the day before the election, in a final push to get out the Democratic vote against Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman and Republican Dede Scozzafava.

Hoffman will be bringing in his own big name: Country singer John Rich, who will be headlining a GOTV rally on Monday.

NJ-GOV

More Polls Show A Tight Race In New Jersey

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 2:33PM

Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) and Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ)

Two new polls show that the New Jersey gubernatorial race continues to be neck and neck between Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie.

• In the new Rasmussen poll, respondents' initial preferences were Christie 42%, Corzine 39%, and independent Chris Daggett 12%. After Daggett supporters were asked if they were sure they would vote for him -- along with the process of pushing undecideds who might lean towards a candidate -- the result becomes a Christie lead of 46%-43%-8%, with a ±3% margin of error.

• The new Stockton College/Zogby poll: Corzine 40%, Christie 39%, and Daggett 14%, with a ±3% margin of error.

• The new Neighborhood Research (R) poll: Christie 42%, Corzine 35%, Daggett 8%, with a ±5.3% margin of error.

So which poll, out of these three or any others, should you believe? Keep in mind that a poll with Corzine up by two points is not significantly different from a poll with Christie up by two points, statistically speaking. The vast majority of polls have shown this race to be within just a couple points -- and they're probably right.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 1:05PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Senior White House Adviser Valerie Jarrett.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

• CNN, State Of The Union: House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Gov Haley Barbour (R-MS).

• Fox News Sunday: Rush Limbaugh.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, Obama 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe.

Joe Lieberman

Reid's Office On Lieberman Campaigning For Republicans: We're Focused On Health Care

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 11:38AM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

We asked Jim Manley, the spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whether Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-CT) position in the Democratic caucus was still secure, in light of his declaration that he will probably campaign for some Republican candidates in the 2010 election -- or as Lieberman said, "I'm going to call them as I see them."

Manley told us: "Senator Lieberman may call them as he see's them, but for Senator Reid, the only thing that he is focused on right now is delivering on the president's promise of comprehensive health care reform."

NY-23

Pataki, More Republicans Back Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 9:53AM

NY-23 Congressional Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative) and Fmr. Gov. George Pataki (R-NY)

More Republican endorsements are piling up for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in NY-23, instead of the moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, with the most prominent being former three-term Gov. George Pataki.

In his endorsement, Pataki declares that electing Scozzafava would give "another vote to Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. This run to the right is especially interesting, considering that Pataki himself used to have a reputation as a moderate, socially liberal Republican.

Hoffman has also been endorsed by an additional 11 House Republicans: Todd Akin (MO), Paul Broun (GA), Mary Fallin (OK), Jeff Flake (AZ), John Fleming (LA), Trent Franks (AZ), Steve King (IA), Tom McClintock (CA), Jerry Moran (KS) John Shadegg (AZ) and Mark Souder (IN). From that list, Moran is currently running for Senate, and his opponent in the primary, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, endorsed Hoffman a week ago.

NJ-GOV

Poll: Corzine Ahead Of Christie 43%-42%

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2009, 6:43AM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

The new Fairleigh Dickinson poll of the New Jersey gubernatorial race gives Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine a slim edge over his Republican opponent Chris Christie.

The numbers: Corzine 43%, Christie 42%, and independent Chris Daggett 6%, with a ±4% margin of error. (Daggett was not listed as a choice, but was a voluntary answer.) This is basically unchanged from three and a half weeks ago, when Corzine was ahead 43%-42%-4% on this ballot test.

The pollster's analysis shows just how much an effect the presence of Daggett and other independents will have, and how the result can depend on how many voters he keeps or where others go: "When Daggett's name is read in an interview along with Jon Corzine's and Chris Christie's names, he gets 14% of the vote, drawing slightly more Democrats than Republicans, while Christie edges Corzine in a statistical tie, 41%-39%. But when the name of another independent candidate is read--the obscure Gary Steele--Steele gets 3% of the vote, draws off slightly more Republicans than Democrats, and Corzine beats Christie 46%- 41%."

Bill Owens

Three Candidates Debate In NY-23: A Moderate Democrat Versus Two Republicans

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 9:13PM

NY-23 candidates Bill Owens (D), Dede Scozzafava (R), and Doug Hoffman (C)

The three candidates for this Tuesday's NY-23 special election -- Democrat Bill Owens, moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman -- debated today with the local ABC affiliate in Syracuse, the only meeting of all three candidates in a special election that has caught the eyes of the national media.

One very important element of this debate was that the issues where Scozzafava takes her more liberal positions -- she is pro-choice, supports gay marriage, and supports the Employee Free Choice Act -- simply didn't come up at all. As a result, the focus on prominent economic issues like taxes, health care and job creation really did turn this into a debate between one Democrat and two Republicans, and as a result this meant Scozzafava was effectively tacking to the right.

One running theme of the debate, though, was the sheer enmity between the two Republicans, the regular GOP nominee Scozzafava, and the insurgent Conservative Hoffman. Scozzafava clearly viewed Hoffman as an agent of outside interests, the national right-wing groups that have backed him as opposed to her local support and concern for local issues, while Hoffman presented himself as the only real Republican -- and as noted above, the issues on which he's really differentiated from her didn't even come up.

Read more »

NJ-GOV

Poll: Corzine And Christie Tied, Corzine Ahead Among Absentee Voters

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 6:17PM

Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) and Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ)

The new SurveyUSA poll of New Jersey has the race tied between Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Jon Corzine.

The numbers: Corzine 43%, Christie 43%, and independent Chris Daggett 11%, with a ±4% margin of error. Last week, Christie was ahead by 41%-39%-19%. It's interesting to see that Daggett has fallen in the run-up to election day, as often happens with third-party candidates, and that Corzine may have been the beneficiary.

Also, the pollster's analysis says that Corzine has already banked a lead in absentee voters: "Corzine leads among the 11% of voters who tell SurveyUSA they have already returned a ballot. The candidates are even among voters who have not yet voted but say they will on or before election day. At this hour, the contest is a coin-toss. The lower the turnout, the better for Corzine."

NY-23

Rick Perry Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 6:01PM

Texas Governor Rick Perry (R), NY-23 Congressional Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, has picked up another endorsement from a prominent Republican, Texas Gov. Rick Perry:

"There is a reason that our party lost power in Washington DC. A lot of folks went to Congress wearing the Republican jersey, but far too many played the game like Democrats. People around Texas -- and frankly, all around the country -- are fed up with the federal government."

Endorsing Hoffman, stead of the moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, has now become something of a litmus test for true-believing conservatism. It should be noted, of course, that Perry is facing a challenge in the Republican primary in 2010, from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. And Perry has also been endorsed by Sarah Palin -- who has also endorsed Hoffman.

NY-23

Could NY-23 GOP Candidate Be Siphoning Votes From The Democrat?

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 4:54PM

NY-23 Candidate Dede Scozzafava (R)

With polls showing moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava in third place in the NY-23 special election, behind Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, she may have to deal with a label that is not often applied to major-party candidates -- that of the spoiler. But who, exactly, is she spoiling?

Prof. Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia posited an interesting hypothesis to me: That Scozzafava's remaining vote is not a conservative Republican base vote that would go to Hoffman, since voters on the right have already been coalescing around him, but she could actually be drawing more from the moderate Democrat Owens.

"Most people think of that as just a rock solid Republican vote, but who are those people?" Sabato said. "They're people who now know, for the most part, that Scozzafava is a liberal Republican. They get it. And a lot of them are really unhappy with Hoffman, so are they really gonna back Hoffman?"

As this idea goes -- and keep in mind that it's not a solid pronouncement, but simply an interpretation of the data as it stands now -- if the Republican continues to fall, it could end up helping the Democrat in a district that voted 52% for Barack Obama in 2008, and where a majority might find a Democrat preferable to the right-wing Conservative.

NJ-GOV

Poll Gives Christie One-Point Lead

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 4:43PM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

The new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of New Jersey gives Republican Chris Christie a one-point lead, in a race that has been on a knife's edge between him and Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine.

The numbers: Christie 42%, Corzine 41%, and independent Chris Daggett with 14%, with a ±4% margin of error. Four weeks ago, Christie led by 46%-42%-7%.

Both major candidates are viewed negatively by voters. Corzine's favorable rating is only 38%, with 55% unfavorable, while Christie is at 43%-46%. Daggett is in positive territory, but only with 35%-16% and nearly half of voters having no opinion of him.

NJ-GOV

Poll: Corzine Ahead Of Christie By 43%-38%

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 3:53PM

Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) and Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ)

The new Democracy Corps (D) poll of New Jersey gives Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine a five-point lead over his main rival, Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie.

The numbers: Corzine 43%, Christie 38%, and independent Chris Daggett 12%, with a ±4% margin of error. A week ago, Corzine led in the three-way poll by 42%-39%-13%.

When Daggett-supporters are pushed to choose between one of the top two candidates, Corzine's five-point lead holds steady at 47%-42%. This would suggest that Daggett is taking from both candidates equally at this point, despite a general impression during much of this race that he's taken more votes from Christie.

NY-23

Dem Owens And GOPer Scozzafava Debate In NY-23, Conservative Hoffman Skips It

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 12:52PM

NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

The candidates met last night for a debate in the NY-23 special election -- two of the candidates anyway. Only Democrat Bill Owens and Republican Dede Scozzafava were there for the public radio debate, with Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman skipping the event.

Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan told the Plattsburgh Press Republican that the radio station's involvement was the reason for the refusal: "North Country Public Radio is the perfect venue to decide who is the most liberal candidate in the race."

At the beginning of the debate (audio here), the moderator said that multiple invitations were extended to Hoffman, and that as far as they knew he would have been available.

All three candidates, however, are meeting today for one debate, hosted by the local ABC affiliate. The debate is being taped at 2:30 p.m., and will be broadcast and streamed online at 7 p.m.

NY-23

Poll: NY-23 Dem and Conservative In Tight Race, Republican In Third

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 11:43AM

NY-23 Candidates Doug Hoffman (Conservative) and Bill Owens (D)

The new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of the NY-23 race finds this to be a dead heat between Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman -- and moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava in third.

The numbers: Owens 33%, Hoffman 32%, Scozzafava 21%, with a ±4% margin of error. Last week, Owens had 35%, Scozzafava 30%, and Hoffman 23%.

Two other polls commissioned by groups backing Hoffman -- the Club For Growth and the Minuteman PAC -- have shown Hoffman with a lead over Owens, and Scozzafava in third.

Special elections are notoriously difficult to poll, due to low and unpredictable turnout patterns, and the nature of a three-way race makes it all the more complicated. At this point, though, we have enough evidence to say with a reasonable level of confidence that the race is probably between Owens and Hoffman.

NRCC

GOP: Pelosi Driving Dem House Members Off A Cliff

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 11:27AM

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

NRCC communications director Ken Spain released this statement on the House Democrats' unveiling of their health care bill, making it clear that the GOP will try to keep on using this issue as a cudgel against Democrats in swing districts:

"The lasting image coming out of today's press conference is one of dozens of House Democrats standing proudly behind an incredibly unpopular Nancy Pelosi as she prepares to lead them off a political cliff. Not only will the Democrats' government takeover of healthcare lead to increased costs, higher taxes, and cuts to Medicare, it also feeds into the emerging narrative that Nancy Pelosi and her puppets are more interested in creating government even if it comes at the expense of creating jobs."

TX-GOV

Perry Reacts To Cheney's Endorsement Of His Opponent: 'I'd Stick With Sarah' Palin

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 11:12AM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) and Fmr. Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is brushing off former Vice President Dick Cheney's endorsement of Perry's primary challenger, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- saying he'd rather have his current support from Sarah Palin.

Perry touted an upcoming endorsement from Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, as evidence of Republican support. Perry was then asked if he would rather have Cheney or Palin, who endorsed him back in February.

Perry's response: "I think I'd stick with Sarah."

NY-23

Democrat Owens And GOPer Scozzafava Split Newspaper Endorsements -- Conservative Hoffman Gets Thumbs-Down

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 10:17AM

NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens are splitting the big newspaper endorsements in the NY-23 special election, which has become a three-way race due to the presence of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman -- who in turn is getting bad reviews in the press.

The Watertown Daily Times, the biggest paper int he district, is endorsing Scozzafava and scolding Hoffman:

Her answers to questions posed by this newspaper about district issues reveal both a breadth and depth that are unmatched by her opponents' responses. During this campaign she has been the candidate most focused on the district, the most willing to debate and the least likely to be diverted by outside interests.

Mr. Hoffman, an accountant and businessman who lives outside the district in Lake Placid, has harnessed a national firestorm of conservative dismay with government. But his ideological stands could harm the district. An example: He has sworn on principle not to request congressional earmarks even though they were essential to raise federal funds for the expansion and improvement of Fort Drum. Would he hew to this stand at the expense of the district which has benefited mightily from Drum's development?

Read more »

Health Care

If The Dems Make A Health Care Bill, Will The Tea-Partiers Come?

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 9:58AM

Protesters at the 9/12 Tea Party March on Washington

Today is a big day on Capitol Hill, featuring the rollout of the House Democrats' health care bill -- and possibly a Tea Party protest against it.

An e-mail was sent out last night on the Tea Party Patriots e-mail list, asking anyone within driving distance of Washington to head to the Capitol at 10 a.m., the scheduled time for the unveiling of the House health care bill.

The event has also been described in conservative Twitter-land, including Erick Erickson, as a "flash mob."

So will a bunch of people show up? Let's see what happens.

Check out the full e-mail after the jump.

Read more »

NJ-GOV

Report: White House Intervened In New Jersey Race

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 9:36AM

Pres. Obama and Gov. Jon Crozine (D-NJ)

New Jersey Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, who seriously trailed Republican nominee Chris Christie in polls over the summer but has caught up in the past few weeks, has reportedly seen a heavy increase in White House involvement in his campaign during that same period of recovery.

The Politico reports that the White House sent senior adviser David Axelrod and political director Patrick Gaspard to New Jersey in August, to express the White House's concerns about the race. One Corzine aide said there was a message being sent that Corzine should consider dropping out of the race -- which Corzine never would have done -- but that allegation was denied by White House officials.

Corzine did end up replacing his pollster, Mark Mellman, with Obama pollster Joel Berenson, who is also experienced in New Jersey politics. In the time since then, Corzine has focused his attacks against Christie on key issues like health care -- especially his accusation that Christie's health insurance proposals would result in women losing mammogram coverage -- and allegations of Christie abusing his office as U.S. Attorney.

VA-GOV

Deeds Campaign: We'll Win By Turning Out Obama Voters

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 5:00PM

VA-Gov. candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

On a conference call with reporters this afternoon, the Deeds campaign explained how they plan to beat the expectations and win the Virginia gubernatorial race.

"The name of the game is getting out the vote. And people say, 'how do you expect to win at this point?" said campaign adviser Mo Elleithee. "And the answer is simple. If we can get out a significant number of people who voted for Barack Obama and Mark Warner in 2008, then we are very much in this game, and that is to be our main objective this week."

The campaign is especially targeting what it calls "Obama-surge voters," the new voters or infrequent voters who came out to polls to help Barack Obama win the state in 2008, as the first Democratic presidential candidate to do so since 1964. Polling has consistently shown that Republican voters are more motivated than Democrats in this race, with polls often showing that the likely-voter pools this time around actually voted for McCain last year.

The campaign plans to get to about 175,000 doors across the state between now and election day, with a target of 200,000 doors on the big day itself, plus there will be over 700,000 GOTV calls. The question is, will it be enough to prove all the current polls wrong?

Jeff Flake

Jeff Flake's Wise Explanation Of Vote Against Honoring Confucius

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 4:45PM

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) released this statement today, giving some precious wisdom in explaining why he voted against honoring the ancient Chinese sage Confucius:

Congressman Flake Releases Statement Regarding His Vote Against Honoring the 2560th Birthday of Confucius

Washington, D.C., Oct 28 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona's Sixth District, today released the following statement regarding his vote against H.Res.784, a bill "honoring the 2560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius and recognizing his invaluable contributions to philosophy and social and political thought."

"He who spends time passing trivial legislation may find himself out of time to read healthcare bill," said Flake.

Heh. Heh.

Joe Lieberman

CORRECTED: Lieberman Proposed Public Option In 2004, Opposes It Now

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 2:56PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

[CORRECTION: We have been told that Joe's program here was not properly termed a public option, but was two different concepts -- an expansion of government-run health care programs for the young, extending it up to age 25, and the creation of private health care exchanges in order to create a competitive, organized marketplace. So to be blunt, we bungled this one. TPM regrets the error.]

Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) seems to have seriously changed his position on a public health insurance program -- from supporting it years ago, to staunchly opposing it now.

Back when Lieberman was a full-fledged Democrat and sought the party's nomination for President, he said this at a debate in South Carolina on January 29, 2004:

"And one of the things we will do when we're one nation is to end the moral outrage of 44 million people without health insurance in the richest country in the world, nine million children whose parents can't take them to the doctor when they get sick 'cause they can't pay the bill. I'm gonna do that, and also help the millions who have insurance that can't pay it, by creating national health insurance pools like the ones members of Congress get our insurance from.

"Promises: When you're born, child in America, you get a membership card, and MediKids covers your insurance. Two, if you lose your job, you will not lose your health insurance. Three, underemployed, self-employed, small business, you can buy into this plan, it'll cost you a lot less, and incidentally, you'll get drug benefits with it. That's the kind of centrist leadership that produces results, and that's the kind of president America needs and I'll be."

(Transcript via Nexis)

Back then, Joe Lieberman was presenting the public option as a sensible, centrist plan for the country. But now he's promising to filibuster a Democratic proposal to establish one. So what changed?

We've placed a call with Lieberman's office, but they have not yet gotten back to us.

Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney To Campaign For Kay Bailey Hutchison In Texas Gubernatorial Primary

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 2:08PM

Fmr. VP Dick Cheney and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney may have left office overwhelmingly unpopular with the country at large, but he's headed back on the campaign trail -- to endorse Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) in her campaign for governor, challenging incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary.

Cheney is scheduled to attend a Hutchison fundraiser on November 17, an environment of Texas Republicans where he's probably still more popular than not.

In terms of endorsements, each candidate has a big GOP name in their corner. Cheney is for Hutchison, while Perry has previously been endorsed by Sarah Palin.

NY-23

Conservative Party's Hoffman Previously Sought Earmark, Now Opposes Them

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 1:38PM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, has sworn off earmarks as part of his campaign to cut the size of government in Washington -- but it turns out that he's not so pure on this subject, the Watertown Daily Times reports.

Hoffman sat on the finance committee of a local hospital, the Adirondack Medical Center, which two years ago asked Republican Rep. John McHugh (whose appointment as Secretary of the Army triggered this special election) for federal funding to construct a primary health clinic.

The hospital ultimately received $479,000. This was actually less than the undisclosed amount that the hospital had originally asked for, which is a typical practice in a process that involves requesting a large amount and securing a smaller one.

Read more »

Joe Lieberman

Reid Spokesman: 'Nothing Has Changed' On Lieberman's Position In Dem Caucus

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 1:34PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

We asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's spokesman Jim Manley whether Sen. Joe Lieberman's (ID-CT) position as a senior member of the Democratic caucus and a committee chairman is still secure, in light of his new comments that he will filibuster the public option.

"Nothing has changed," Manley told us.

NJ-GOV

Joe Wilson To Appear At Unauthorized Rally For Chris Christie

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 12:01PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), the right-wing hero who shouted "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to Congress, is headed to New Jersey this Sunday to get out the vote for Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie -- but Christie certainly won't be there.

The rally was organized by local Tea Party activists, not the Christie campaign. It will be held in the Republican stronghold of Morris County, which voted 54%-46% for John McCain even as the state went 57%-42% for Obama.

The rally's organizer pointed out that Christie won't be coming, even though "he's only going to be half a mile away."

It should be noted that Christie is not having Republican names known for their right-wing credentials campaigning for him in this socially liberal and Democratic state. He's sticking to safer names like Rudy Giuliani, or moderate former Governors Tom Kean and Christie Whitman. The most conservative he's going is Tim Pawlenty, who is much less scary to New Jersey than a guy like Wilson.

NJ-GOV

Corzine And Bill Clinton Rally New Jersey On Democratic Issues

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 11:20AM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Fmr. Pres. Bill Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton rallied support for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine last night, headlining a Democratic Party fundraiser in the party stronghold of Essex County, and then a rally in the nearby town of Little Falls -- with a clear focus on encouraging people to vote for Corzine out of the state's fundamental agreement on Democratic issues.

"It is an important election and elections matter," said Corzine, whose own net approval ratings are consistently in negative territory. "Elections aren't really about the candidate, they're about the direction the society will take, that New Jersey will take. Just think back to 2000, and think what would have happened if the right guy who'd gotten elected had been sworn in."

Corzine said how if Al Gore had been sworn in after the 2000 election, the country wouldn't have lost millions of jobs, and there would not have been a war of choice -- focusing on the unpopularity of the Bush administration, which just so happened to have appointed Corzine's Republican opponent Chris Christie as a U.S. Attorney.

When Bill spoke, he talked about the Republican Party's direction. "The Republicans seem to have two strategies at the state and national level," said Bill. "One, they left us a terrible mess and they complain that the President isn't fixing it quickly. And second, their strategy is to just hope that we mess up."

Read more »

Michael Steele

Steele Calls For Investigation Of White House Fundraising

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 10:13AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee is up in arms over a Washington Times report that the Obama administration is allegedly using access to the White House as a fundraising tool for the Democratic National Committee, and the RNC is now calling for an investigation.

"The seriousness of this issue requires an immediate investigation looking into the degree and details of fundraising efforts between the White House and DNC, whether there was any quid pro quo offered to donors, and the names of White House officials who were involved in such activities," RNC chairman Michael Steele said in a statement.

NJ-GOV

Poll: Corzine Ahead of Christie By 43%-38%

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 6:36AM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

The new Quinnipiac poll in New Jersey gives Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine a five-point lead over Republican Chris Christie.

The numbers: Corzine 43%, Christie 38%, and independent Chris Daggett 13%, with a ±2.8% margin of error. Two weeks ago, Christie had an edge of 41% to Corzine's 40%, and Daggett was at 14%.

This poll suggests that Daggett is taking more votes away from Christie than Corzine, with his voters listing Christie as their second choice by a 43%-27%. This runs contrary to a Public Policy Polling (D) survey that showed Corzine as their second choice, but keep in mind these sub-samples have very high margins of error.

From the pollster's analysis: "You could see it coming. Gov. Jon Corzine's numbers crept steadily up and Christopher Christie's steadily shrank and now, for the first time, we have Corzine ahead. But don't be in a hurry to mark this election as over. Christopher Daggett changed it from 'ABC' - Anybody But Corzine - to a real three-way scrap. But a lot of Daggett's voters say they might change their minds by Election Day. Where will they go?"

NY-23

GOP Reps. Cole And Rohrabacher Back Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 3:56PM

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Tom Cole (R-CA)

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, has picked up two more endorsements from sitting House Republicans, Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Dana Rohrabacher of California, who are joining in the right-wing revolt against the nomination of moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava.

Cole's endorsement is big news, because he is in fact a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee -- the party organization dedicated to electing Republicans to the House. He was NRCC chair during the disastrous 2008 cycle, and is now going against the party's candidate in a seat that the GOP could potentially lose as a result of the Republican split.

"Doug Hoffman is right on the critical issues facing America -- and he is the only Republican who can win this special election," said Cole, whose endorsement was initially reported by Bill Kristol. "For those reasons I have chosen to endorse Mr. Hoffman and my leadership PAC has contributed to his campaign. I look forward to working with Doug in Congress and welcoming him into the Republican Conference."

Read more »

NY-23

DeMint Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 3:18PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), a leading right-wing voice in Congress, has endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election, instead of moderate Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava.

By our count, this makes DeMint the fourth sitting member of Congress to endorse Hoffman, and the first Senator to do so, following Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), and Rep John Linder (R-GA).

DeMint said: "Too often, we're told that Republicans have to be like Democrats to be competitive in states like New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. But the truth is voters don't want to be forced to pick between two liberals; they want a real choice. If voters want to give Washington more control over our lives, they can always vote for Democrats."

Alan Grayson

Grayson's Office: Let's Be Clear About Context of 'K Street Whore' Comment

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 1:10PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson's (D-FL) office is making clear that when he referred to a female lobbyist a "K Street whore" during a radio interview, he was only referring to her professional career, not her personal life.

CBS News reports that Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski told them:

"Let's be clear about the context," he said. "The attack was on her professional career, not her personal life."

"She attacked the Congressman and his efforts to promote a Republican bill to audit the Federal Reserve," Jurkowski said. "She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. She had the audacity to attack a Congressman who used to be an economist. She's a career lobbyist who used to work for Enron and advocates for whatever she gets paid to promote."

Alan Grayson

Grayson Opponent Attacks 'K Street Whore' Comment

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 12:46PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

One of Rep. Alan Grayson's (D-FL) Republican opponents is seizing on his newly-unearthed comment, in which he called a female lobbyist a "K Street whore."

Armando Gutierrez, a real estate developer who moved from Miami to Orlando in order to run against Grayson, has a new press release:

The tragedy of this is that the gross recklessness of statements such as this seems to be lost on Grayson.

From accusing Republicans of murder on the scale of Holocaust to labeling an honorable public servant a "whore," Grayson has once again shown America that he is, to borrow the words of his fellow Democrat, Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York, "one fry short of a happy meal."

Grayson seems to be giving Republicans no shortage of opposition-research material against him for 2010, and this latest episode is no exception. The full press release is available after the jump.

Read more »

NJ-GOV

Christie Bringing In Some GOP Stars For Home Stretch In New Jersey

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 11:56AM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), Fmr. US Attorney Chris Christie (R) and Fmr. New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R)

On a conference call with reporters this morning, the Chris Christie campaign announced a marathon schedule of events all around the state for the final week of the campaign -- and they'll be getting some special guests.

Campaign adviser Mike DuHaime said the campaign will be joined by Rudy Giuliani, Tim Pawlenty, and former New Jersey Governors Tom Kean and Christie Whitman. Specific days and events were not announced for these guest-stars at this time.

I asked whether the campaign is at a disadvantage to the Corzine campaign, which has been able to bring in popular national Democrats like President Obama, Vice President Biden and former President Bill Clinton. By contrast, a lot of national Republicans wouldn't be popular draws in New Jersey, such as Sarah Palin and other conservative figures.

"It's no greater disadvantage than it is to run in New Jersey to begin with," said DuHaime, due to the state having 700,000 more Democrats than Republican, and Corzine able to spend a lot of his own money on the race.

NY-23

Conservative Party Candidate In NY-23: 'Yes, We Can'

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 11:23AM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, has penned a new blog post at National Review, using a familiar slogan as a rallying cry for the right: "Yes, We Can."

That was, of course, President Obama's campaign slogan -- which was in turn borrowed from the United Farm Workers union, and its campaigns of the early 1970's with the Spanish slogan, "Sí se puede." But Hoffman is speaking here of a wave of conservative change.

Hoffman also promises that if the Republican Party does not nominate truly conservative candidates, they'll be seeing more third-party candidates like himself: "Our goal should not be a Republican majority. It should be a conservative majority. If the Republican party will not be conservative, then we are going to run against them . . . and we're going to win."

NJ-GOV

Poll: Christie Ahead of Corzine By 42%-38%

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 10:43AM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

The new survey of the New Jersey gubernatorial by Public Policy Polling (D) finds Republican Chris Christie leading Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine -- with independent Chris Daggett possibly playing spoiler against Corzine.

The numbers: Christie 42%, Corzine 38%, and Daggett 13%, with a 3.9% margin of error. Two weeks ago, Christie was ahead in PPP's survey by 40%-39%-13%.

The internals of the poll suggest that Daggett may actually be siphoning more voters from Corzine right now than from Christie -- a big change from two weeks ago. In the latest poll, 42% of the present pool of Daggett-supporters list Corzine as their second choice, compared to 32% for Christie. By contrast, Daggett-backers in the last poll went 48%-34% for Christie on second choices. A big caveat is that the margins of error are very large in these sub-samples, at ±10.6% this week and ±11.4% two weeks ago, but it is an interesting data point.

From the pollster's analysis: "The Daggett voters seem to be pretty volatile so if they go back to the Corzine camp he'll have a good shot of pulling it out. The campaign that does the better job of turning out its voters will win."

Alan Grayson

Grayson Calls Lobbyist 'K Street Whore'

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 9:49AM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) -- the man best known for saying that the Republican health care plan is for Americans who get to "die quickly," and for calling former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire with blood dripping from his teeth -- may have gone a bit too far in one of his latest rhetorical excesses, calling lobbyist Linda Robertson, who used to advise Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a "K Street whore."

The comments were made a month ago, when Grayson appeared on the radio show of right-wing talker Alex Jones, and was just discovered and circulated by the NRCC. "Here I am, the only Member of Congress who actually worked as an economist. And she's, this lobbyist, this K Street whore, is trying to teach me about economics," said Grayson.

Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski stood by the Congressman's comments, telling the Orlando Sentinel in an e-mail: "She attacked the Congressman and his efforts to promote a Republican bill to audit the Federal Reserve. She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. This is [a] person who used to be the chief lobbyist for Enron attacking the intelligence and motives of a Congressman who used to be an economist."

Read more »

Chris Christie

Poll: Christie Narrowly Ahead In New Jersey

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 9:35AM

Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) and Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ)

The new Rasmussen poll of the New Jersey gubernatorial race finds Republican Chris Christie with some possible momentum against Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and independent Chris Daggett in the home stretch of the campaign.

As was done last week, respondents were initially asked for first preferences between Democrat Jon Corzine, Republican Christ Christie, and independent Chris Daggett. Those who answered Daggett were then given a follow-up question of whether they were sure -- an attempt to measure the usual drop-off that third-party candidates have -- and their possible new votes were then distributed, along with undecided voters who were pushed into supporting a candidate.

The initial preferences were Christie 42%, Corzine 38%, and Daggett 14%. After Daggett-supporters and undecideds were pushed, it became Christie 46%, Corzine 43%, and Daggett 7%. Last week, Corzine had led by 37%-36%-16% on first preferences, and Christie was up by 41%-39%-11% after people were pushed. The margin of error is ±3%.

NY-23

Conservative Pollster Puts Hoffman Ahead In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 8:49AM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

A new poll of the NY-23 special election, conducted by the conservative Neighborhood Research and commissioned by the Minuteman PAC -- which is supporting Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman -- finds Hoffman in first place, and the moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava in third.

The numbers: Hoffman 34.1%, Democrat Bill Owens 29.2%, and Scozzafava 13.9%, with a ±4.8% margin of error. Among definite voters, it's Hoffman 37.5%, Owens 28.4%, and Scozzafava 13.5%, with a ±5.6% margin of error.

Neighborhood Research head Rick Shaftan told TPM: "She's [Scozzafava] going to end up in single digits and Hoffman is going to top 50%."

This runs contrary to independent polls, which have put Owens in first, Scozzafava second, and Hoffman third, while it's consistent with a poll from the Club For Growth (which also supports Hoffman). Then again, special elections are notoriously difficult to poll, due to low turnout, so there's really no telling what's going to happen on election day next week.

NY-23

Doug Hoffman: If I Win, GOP Will Look At The Principles Of Future Nominees

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 6:37PM

NY-23 Candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, appeared on Glenn Beck's TV show today, and said a victory in the special election will send a strong message to the GOP about future candidate selections.

"I'm fighting for the heart and soul of the Republican Party," said Hoffman. "And I think if I win this campaign, that people will take notice, and the next time they select a candidate, they will look at the principles."

Hoffman is running against Democrat Bill Owens and moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, whose selection as the GOP's candidate has triggered a revolt by right-wing activists and politicians across the country. Scozzafava is pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and even pro-Employee Free Choice Act. So if Hoffman wins, or even just spoils the race in favor of the Democrats, the GOP will know that moderate candidates need not apply for other races -- thus foiling efforts by some in the party to expand their ranks and ideological reach.

NJ-GOV

Daggett: Christie Can't Win, It's Either Corzine Or Me

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 6:08PM

NJ-GOV candidates Chris Daggett (I) and Chris Christie (R)

Chris Daggett, the independent gubernatorial candidate in New Jersey, is boldly declaring that Republican Chris Christie can't win.

"It's either going to be Jon Corzine or me," Daggett told The Associated Press, adding that Christie's campaign "has gone backward since June."

Christie had previously led Corzine by significant margins in all the polls, but the race has now become neck and neck in most polls. During this whole period, Corzine's support has remained roughly the same, in the high-30's/low-40's range. Christie has been losing support, with Daggett gaining voters from both columns.

NY-23

GOP Campaign Calls Upon Conservative Hoffman To Drop Out, In Wake Of Poll With Him Up

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 5:17PM

NY-23 Candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

In a press release sent out by the Dede Scozzafava campaign, the moderate Republican running in the three-way special election, several GOP state legislators call upon Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman to drop out of the race -- and declare that a new poll from the pro-Hoffman Club For Growth showing him ahead is false:

"Doug Hoffman must do the right thing and drop out of this race right now," said Assemblywoman Janet Duprey. "This is a campaign for Congress -- not an audition to be a talking head on a cable news program. Doug Hoffman doesn't live here, he doesn't understand our local issues and, regardless of his campaign's theatrics and false polls, he knows he is completely unelectable. Make no mistake about it -- Doug Hoffman is a spoiler, and by staying in this race he will jeopardize a seat the Republican Party has held here since the Civil War. It's high time that Hoffman puts the good of this community over his personal ambition and endorses our Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava," she concluded.

Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan gives us this comment: "This just proves many Republicans don't know how to read polls or sense the groundswell of support that's taking place in the district. Dede Scozzafava is the spoiler in this race, because she's so liberal. Doug Hoffman will be the next Congressman, because Republicans from throughout the district will vote for him on election day."

NY-23

GOP Rep. John Linder Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 5:02PM

Rep. John Linder (R-GA)

A source in the campaign of Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the three-way NY-23 special election, tells us that another member of Congress will be endorsing Hoffman: This time, it's Rep. John Linder (R-GA).

Linder will be the third sitting member of Congress to openly back the Conservative Hoffman over the moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, following Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).

Late Update: Linder's office has confirmed the endorsement. Here's Linder's statement:

"The biggest concern I have with the Republican candidate in this race is that her long held positions on unions, taxes and spending incline me to believe that she will give Nancy Pelosi a Republican vote so that these many outrageous grabs for power and control will be called 'bipartisan.' I am confident that Doug will not do that."

Chuck Schumer

Schumer: Opt-Out Is 'The Best Compromise' That Can Potentially Get 60 Votes

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 3:31PM

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has released this statement, on Harry Reid's announcement of a public option proposal that includes an opt-out mechanism for states:

"Leader Reid has always been a strong supporter of a public option that could help keep the insurers honest, and today he showed just how deep his commitment is. The public option has new life because as Americans have learned more about it, they have come to see it is the best way to reduce costs and increase competition in the health insurance industry. This form of public option is not exactly what either liberals or moderates would want. But a public plan based on a level playing field, with an opt-out for states, is the best compromise that has the potential of getting 60 votes in the Senate."

NY-23

Pawlenty Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 3:14PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential presidential candidate in 2012, has now endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election -- passing over his party's actual nominee, moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava.

Pawlenty said in a statement given to Red State:

"We cannot send more politicians to Washington who wear the Republican jersey on the campaign trail, but then vote like Democrats in Congress on issues like card check and taxes. After reviewing the candidates' positions, I'm endorsing Doug Hoffman in New York's special election. Doug understands the federal government needs to quit spending so much, will vote against tax increases, and protect key values like the right to vote in private in union elections."

Pawlenty is the second possible GOP presidential candidate to pick the Conservative over the Republican, following Sarah Palin's endorsement of Hoffman late last week. Newt Gingrich has been vocally supporting Scozzafava, and catching a lot of flak on the right as a result.

NJ-GOV

Bill Clinton Campaigning With Corzine Tomorrow

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 1:16PM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Fmr. Pres. Bill Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton will be campaigning tomorrow in New Jersey for Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, yet another Democratic heavy hitter coming in to support Corzine for the home stretch of the campaign in this blue state.

Clinton will join Corzine at a 7 p.m. fundraiser for the Essex County Democratic Committee in West Orange, and an 8:45 p.m. rally in Little Falls, which is located in nearby Passaic County. Both counties are strongly Democratic (Essex much more so than Passaic), and Corzine will need big get-out-the-vote efforts in these areas.

NJ-GOV

Corzine: 'I Couldn't Give A Hoot' About Christie's Weight -- But He's Pulled Rank In Traffic Accidents

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 12:54PM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

Democratic New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine appeared on the local Fox morning program Good Day New York, where he continued to hammer Republican nominee Chris Christie on issues like the economy, pre-school funding, health care, and support for President Obama.

Corzine also denied allegations that he's attacked Chris Christ'e weight, which originated from an ad saying that Christie "threw his weight around" to get out of trouble in a traffic accident when he was U.S. Attorney.

Corzine told host Greg Kelly: "Greg, I couldn't give a hoot about his weight. And when the issue was raised about one given ad, it was about his driving down a one-way street, hitting somebody on a motorcycle, putting the fella in the hospital, and not getting a traffic ticket. How many of the viewers would hit somebody going down a street, on a one-way -- he's going the wrong way, hits somebody, put him in the hospital, wouldn't get a ticket. Flashed his credentials, and I think that the whole point was one set of rules, and another set of rules for somebody else."

NY-23

Club For Growth Poll: Conservative Hoffman Ahead In NY-23, Moderate GOPer Scozzafava In Third

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 12:34PM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

A new poll from the right-wing Club For Growth, which is supporting Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election, says that Hoffman is ahead in the three-way race -- and moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava in third place.

The numbers: Hoffman 31%, Democrat Bill Owens 27%, and Scozzafava 20%. The margin of error is ±5.66%.

This is contrary to other polls that have shown Owens in front, Scozzafava second, and Hoffman third. The Club points out that no information about the candidates was given before the ballot question, meaning that they did not try to prime the pump for Hoffman in the lead-up to asking people for their preferences.

From the pollster's analysis: "Hoffman now has a wide lead among both Republicans and Independents, while Owens has a wide lead among Democrats. Dede Scozzafava's support continues to collapse, making this essentially a two-candidate race between Hoffman and Owens in the final week."

Bill Owens

Conservative Party's Hoffman Unable To Answer Questions On Local Issues In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 11:55AM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

It looks like Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the three-way NY-23 special election, doesn't actually know much about the district's local issues, the Watertown Daily Times reports.

Hoffman is opposing Democratic nominee Bill Owens and moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava on issues like abortion, gay rights, the stimulus bill, and other national hot-button topics. But at a Daily Times editorial board meeting, he couldn't answer questions about local transportation projects and other economic issues.

Read more »

IA-SEN

Christie Vilsack Not Running For Senate Against Grassley

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 11:25AM

Fmr. Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack (D)

Former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack has announced that she will not run for Senate against five-term incumbent republican Chuck Grassley in 2010, the Des Moines Register reports.

A recent Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll had shown Vilsack trailing Grassley by a margin of 51%-40% -- which was actually pretty good, considering that Grassley has never been re-elected with less than 66% of the vote.

Vilsack said in her statement: "Committing to a campaign for the US Senate next year requires more than the confidence that I have the right experience, the necessary support and the resources to be successful. It must come with an understanding that it is the best way for me serve our State and my fellow Iowans in the most effective way possible at this time."

LA-SEN

Melancon: 'We Can Only Guess' Vitter's Reasons For Opposing Anti-Rape Amendment

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 10:28AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Charles Melancon (D-LA)

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), who is running for Senate in 2010 against Republican Sen. David Vitter, is now stepping up his attacks on Vitter -- declaring that "we can only guess" why Vitter voted against a Senate amendment to crack down on rape.

In a new campaign e-mail, Melancon slams Vitter for voting against the Franken Amendment, which would cut off money for military contractors that force employees into arbitration, rather than a court of law, if they are raped:

If a company wants to receive taxpayer dollars, they should not be able to force victims to give up their constitutional rights as a condition of employment.

David Vitter has refused to explain why he voted to allow taxpayer-funded companies to sweep rape charges under the rug. We can only guess what his reasons were.

Tell David Vitter that sexual assault victims deserve their day in court.

(Emphasis in the original.)

Check out the full e-mail, after the jump.

Late Update: NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh sends us this comment: "If Charlie Melancon is truly 'shocked' that David Vitter would vote against this amendment, one can only imagine his thoughts on President Obama and Obama's Department of Defense having the exact same position on this amendment as the Republicans - which they do. Considering Charlie Melancon's strong endorsement of Obama in last year's election, it's fair to ask how Melancon squares this cheap partisan attack today with the Obama Administration's own position on the Franken amendment? Is Charlie Melancon seriously suggesting that President Obama does not care about victims of sexual assault because that would be news indeed. We look forward to his response."

Read more »

Chris Christie

Poll: Corzine Ahead Of Christie By 42%-33%

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 10:00AM

Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) and Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ)

A new Suffolk University poll gives Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) a nine-point lead over Republican Chris Christie -- his largest lead in any survey during this whole race.

The numbers: Corzine 42%, Christie 33%, independent Chris Daggett 7%. In this poll, all 12 candidates on the ballot were listed, in addition to the main three, with other independents also garnering a total of 3% support, and 14% undecided. There is no prior Suffolk poll for direct comparison. The margin of error is ±5%.

The pollster's analysis shows that this race has become all about the unpopularity of all the candidates, but that Corzine is now coming out the best: "Thirty-five percent of likely voters said that they would be extremely or very comfortable with Corzine, compared to 20 percent for Christie and 9 percent for Daggett. All candidates struggled with personal popularity, with Corzine viewed favorably by 45 percent and unfavorably by 46 percent. Christie polled 34 percent favorable, 46 percent unfavorable, while Daggett scored a 20 percent favorable and 25 percent unfavorable. All three candidates had higher negatives than positives."